Smithfield Arms Public House - Swansea

[Whitewabbit]

Hello

My Great Grandfather Frederick Roth used to own the Smithfield Arms in Swansea around 1881 but apart from the census showing it, I can't find any pictures or references to it anywhere else. As far as I know it was knocked down in the 1960's when Dyfatty Road was widened. Does anyone have any pictures of  it or that area before the widening? As far as I know it was on the corener of Dyfatty Street and Matthew Street before the two streets were separated by the Dyfatty flats development. I am also having problems finding out what happened to Frederick. As far as I know so far, he was born in Germany about 1850, his full name was Frederick Arnold Roth and he married someone called Elizabeth. I think his son was called Oscar.

Thanks in advance.

[hanes teulu]

Whitewabbit,
A warm welcome to Rootschat
Are you familiar with the Cambrian Index - can be searched on line?. There are a half dozen references to Roth and the Smithfield Arms/adjoining shop around 1880.

The Index identifies newspaper items that appeared in rhe old Swansea newspaper "The Cambrian" and the original articles can be viewed on microfilm in Swansea Archives or library.

regards

[hanes teulu]

Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire and South Wales 1895 (pts 1 and 2) (can be searched on line) mentions a Frederick Auguste Roth and a Frederick Augustus Roth

Roth, Frederick Auguste, fiddle string maker (William Pallas manager), Dynevor Street, Merthyr Tydfil

Roth, Frederick Augustus, 22 Brynmill Crescent, Swansea

In the Street Directory in Kelly's it lists Dyfatty Street Nos 1 - 52 then

52 Empire Club & Institute, William Goodwin, sec
here is Gibbett Hill Road
Cattle Market
Swansea Butchers Hide and Skin Market Co. Limited
Roth, Frederick Augustus, sausage skin maker

So, still in business in Swansea in 1895.

regards

[hanes teulu]

1891 Census

see RG12  4483  58  45

He is listed under the initials F A and his wife Elizabeth under the initial E. The original image entries are heavily crossed through. His age for example has been transcribed as 59 rather than 39 on the site I use.

Suggest you search under reference, not personal details

regards

[hanes teulu]

FreeBMd has the death registration of a Friederich August Roth, age 48, Mar Qtr 1900, Swansea, 11a 655

regards

[Morganllan]

Hello 

Swansea Bottles site has the Smithfield Arms (Hotel), 1 Dyvatty St (Dyffaty Street)

F. A. Roth, Swansea Directory 1887

http://www.swanseabottles.com/Companies%20in%20Swansea.htm

Kind Regards
Morgan

[Whitewabbit]

Thanks guys - Will follow this up. No doubt will be back with more questions later :-)

[hanes teulu]

THE GREAT PUB CRAWL - Ray Marshall : Derek Gabriel
A STORY OF SWANSEA PUBS
page 29
War Time Destruction - Public Houses - Second World War, Swansea
Amongst those listed - Smithfield Inn. So, looks like it it was the Lufftwaffe rather than the City Fathers that put paid to the pub.

Had a look in Swansea Archives for a photo - no success. However, did take a photocopy of the 1899 Ordnance Survey map of the area that shows the junction of Gibbett Hill Road and Dyfatty Street, as mentioned in Kelly's Directory. There is a Public House marked just where you'd expect the Smithfield to be, next to the Cattle market.

Have sent you a Private message

regards

[hanes teulu]

Whitewabbit.
Just realised you are not in a position to receive a PM (only 2 posts created). Just send one more post and we'll be OK.

regards